Burr Defoe Cline Jr.

On Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, Burr DeFoe Cline Jr. of Duvall, WA passed away at the age of 94. He was born in Seattle on Jan. 22, 1930, to Burr DeFoe Cline Sr. and Ida Andrina Vike. Growing up on Beacon Hill, Burr attended Van Asselt Grade School, and Cleveland Junior and Senior High School (Class of ’47). During high school he was a founding member of the “Kings of Swing,” a Glen Miller-style dance band where he shined as a trombonist. He graduated from the University of Washington in 1954 with fond memories of his Alpha Sigma Phi fraternity.

Burr joined the US Marine Corps Reserve in 1948 during college, and on June 24, 1954, was commissioned a 2nd lieutenant. In 1956, he entered the life insurance business as an agent for New York Life and continued with various other companies until he settled down with American Mutual Life as a Regional Director of Agencies in Bellevue, until his retirement in 1995.

Throughout his adult life, Burr was always interested in music, first as a trombone player, then as a singer, in various choirs, quartets, and a few stage shows, including HMS Pinafore as Dick Deadeye, You’re No Stranger as Joseph Smith, and as Tommy Albright in Brigadoon. He also enjoyed pastel drawing, wood working, and even built a vacation home on Vashon Island with his two sons. He was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Burr was preceded in death by his brother Richard Noble (age 8), his parents, and three half-sisters Cleona Mathwig, Louise Poli, and Geraldine Colson, and his former wife and mother of his children, JoAnne Milligan Knepper. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Carolyn Ann Frank Cline, his sons Steve (Linda) Cline of Vashon Island, Jeff (Traci) Cline of Maple Valley, daughters Janelle (Chris) Carlson of Redlands, CA, and Jennifer (Ted) Ryle of Olympia, stepson David (Jenn) Grant of Seattle, his grandchildren Kolina (Bradley) Kilgore of Seattle, Bryce (Lindsay) Cline of New York, Tyler (Lisa) Cline of Birmingham, AL, Kylie (Darren) Wyknenko of Everson, Christian (Allie) Carlson of West Jordan, UT, Kaash (Juliana) Carlson of Hauula, HI, McKenzie (Marc) Winchell of Oceanside, CA, Kelsie Carlson (Brandon) of Redlands, CA, Alexa Ryle of Portland, OR, Mandy Ryle (Liam) of Olympia, Lu Ryle of Minneapolis, MN, step-grandson Benjamin Grant of Seattle, and 14 great grandchildren. He also leaves behind his sweet cat Luvee. His memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved him.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, March 11, 2024 – 12:30 pm at Sunset Hills Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 1215 145th Place SE, Bellevue, WA 98007.